1. Residential Services Participant Handbook
Welcome to Community Opportunities Residential Services Participant Handbook
Residential Services Mission: To assist people to become
more independent, we provide support, education,
and encouragement to be part of their community.

2. About Community Opportunities
Community Opportunities is a local agency who helps people,
living in Lincoln County, who have developmental disabilities
(such as autism, cerebral palsy
and mental retardation).

3. Residential Services
The main goal for our Residential Services program is to provide a variety of housing options and living arrangements such as non-disability specific locations. Participants can decide where they want to live, who lives with them and who they want to provide their supports - within their financial means. Services are geared to assist individuals increase their level of independence and become active members of their community.
Community Opportunities is dedicated to helping people with Developmental Disabilities, in Lincoln County, to do as many things as they can by themselves. We have staff who will help you with the things you need help with and will help you to become more independent.
Staff will also help you to do things you like to do and meet new people that like to do the same things you like to do in your community.
Our staff get’s a lot of trainings so they can help you to be safe and healthy.

4. Admission To Residential Services
First, we receive your name as a person who wants to live here, usually from your Case Manager or Service Coordinator
We get information about you from other agencies that have helped you
When there is an opening, we invite you to the home to tour it, meet everyone at the house, learn the house rules, and spend the night when possible on a trial visit
If our services are right for you, you will decide if you want to live here
Admission to Residential Services
Your Case Manager tells us you would like to live here. We get information about you. We invite you to the home where there is a place for you to live. You come have a meeting, meet everyone in the home, learn house rules and meet the manager. After the meeting, you decide if you want to live here. If you decide you want to live here, we will set up a move in date. You will work with staff so we can find out what type of help you need. At the end of your first month living here, you can decide if you want to stay living here. If you do not want to live here, we will help you find another place to live. If you decided you want to live here, we will have a meeting with you, your family, managers and your Case manager to decide what you would like us to help you learn. We will write an Individual Plan (called an I.P.) with programs to help you learn the things you would like to learn.

5. Admission To Residential Services
If you want to live here, we set up a move in date
We will have a meeting with you, your family or other people who are important to you, and your Case Manager/Service Coordinator to decide what you would like us to help you learn –this will be part of your Individual Plan
If you live in a home owned by Community Opportunities you will sign a rental agreement
At the end of the first month you are here, if you decide you don’t want to live here, we will help you find another place to live

6. People Who Work With You
 When staff are hired they must have at least a high school diploma or GED, a valid drivers license, and pass specific background checks. 
All staff working with you receive a minimum of 80 hours training.
All direct-care staff have training in CPR, medication administration, First Aid and preventing abuse and neglect.
They also receive training in positive behavior support, confidentiality and emergency situations.
All staff working with you also have other training such as, injury reporting, responding to seizures, fire safety, using lifts, etc. 
Your services are developed with you and supervised by a Professional Manager (PM). This person has a Bachelor’s Degree and has worked at least one year with individuals with developmental disabilities.

7. Client Funds You will receive spending money each month
It will be kept in a checking account for you
Staff can tell you how much money you receive each month
You can ask for money from this account anytime
It is best not to keep a lot of money at your house
Staff can help you open an account at a bank
or you may keep your money in a lock box at your home
If you work, you will also get a paycheck
Staff can help you budget your money if you need help
Client Funds. You will receive spending money each month. It will be kept in a checking account for you. Staff can tell you how much money you get each month. You can ask for money from this account anytime. It is best not to keep a lot of money at your house. Staff can help you open an account at a bank or you can keep your money in a lock box at your home. If you work, you will also get a paycheck from there. Staff will help you budget your money, if you need them to help you.

8. Fees For Services
There are fees for all services, some of the money comes from Community Opportunities and some from the Department of Mental Health.
If have a paying job, you may have to pay some rent,
which will be based on how much money you make
You will receive a bill every month telling you how much you owe
Bills can be paid to the Administrative Assistant at the Program Building
Staff can help you budget for these bills and show you how to pay them
A current cost of services is available upon request
Fees for Services
There are fees for all services, some of the money comes from Community Opportunities and some comes from the Hannibal Regional Ofice.
If you have a job, you may have to pay some rent or phone bills – it depends on how much money you make at your job. You will pay for any long distance phone calls you make. You will receive a bill each month telling you how much you owe. Bills can be paid to the Residential Secretary at the office. Staff can help you budget for these bills and show you how to pay them. There is a current cost of services on the next slide

9. Choice, Rules & Responsibilities
You have a choice of where you live, who you live with and things you do in the community, including things with people who do not have disabilities.
You may choose how to decorate your room, have a key to your home and a lock for your bedroom if you wish.
You have a choice how you spend your free time.
You may invite friends and family to your home.
If you smoke, you can only smoke in certain areas.
You have the responsibility to participate in all areas of your life such as helping with chores in your home such as: cooking, cleaning and laundry.
You must treat others in your home with respect and are responsible for your actions at all times. If you damage something, you will have to pay for it (up to $50).
Rules. You are expected to help with chores at your home. If you smoke, you can only smoke in certain areas – staff will show these areas to you. You must treat others in your home with respect. You may not hit them, call them names or threaten them. To keep everyone safe, knives will be kept in a locked are of the house. Staff must be with you whtn you use them.
You will be held responsible for your behavior. If you damage something on purpose, you will have to pay for it (up to $50.00)

10. Choice, Rules & Responsibilities
You may be required to keep personal knives in a locked area of your home.
You are expected to do as much for yourself as you can and work on the goals you have set with your team.
You are not allowed to bring illegal drugs on agency property.
You are responsible for following the rules of your lease or rental agreement.
To ensure you are safe, you have the responsibility to let staff know where you are going, with whom and when you will return.
Each residential location has a few other rules. When you move in, the support staff at the home will review them with you.

11. Equal Opportunities for Everyone
We will help you no matter what your race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, sex, age, disability, marital status, genetic information or veteran status.
Any beliefs you have will not change the way we treat you.

12. Risk vs Choice
If you choose to do something your team feels is too risky, the team will meet to discuss this activity. They will try to come to an agreement with you by deciding what risks there are, whether or not the risks are too great, and/or how we can work together to make the risks smaller so you can continue to do what you have chosen. Your guardian, if you have one, will be involved in these decisions.

13. You have the same legal rights and responsibilities as any other person unless the court says you do not (if you have a guardian your rights will be different than people without a guardian)
You will be given a written copy of your rights. If any changes are made you will receive a new copy. If you need assistance reading or understanding your rights our staff can help you.
Your rights cannot be taken away/limited before you have a chance to speak for yourself or have someone you choose speak for you. This is called due process.

14. You Have The Right To control your personal money and
have a job to make money.
To have privacy and talk to who you
want to privately and have your information
kept private.
To keep things of your own and see
current news and media.

15. You Have The Right To choose where and with whom you want to live.
To be a part of the community and participate in activities with people you choose.
To attend a place of worship of your choice, if you choose to do so.

16. You Have The Right To go to the doctor or hospital when you need to.
To lead/participate in your plan meeting and invite those who are important to you & have your plan clearly explained to you.
To receive rules, policies and information about you in a way you can understand.

17. You Have The Right To Have choices of who supports you and to
Say “Yes” or “No” to Services
You have the right to say Yes or No to Services

18. You Have The Right
To say NO to being part of any study, experiment or medical treatment.
To choose someone to help you make decisions or act on your behalf.
To have a person who does not work for our agency decide if we are complying with your rights.
Your Rights

19. You Have The Right:
To be free from people hitting you, hurting you, yelling at you, saying hurtful things or restricting your movement.
To be treated with respect at all times and to be treated like everyone else under the law.

20. Formal vs Informal Complaint
What's the difference between a formal and an informal
complaint?
An informal complaint is different from a formal complaint/grievance in how it is processed; however, resolution is the goal for each. An informal complaint is generally resolved through discussion and should always be attempted before moving into the formal complaint/grievance process.
You can make an informal complaint to the Director of the department you receive services (your support staff can assist you if needed). If you do not feel like your issue is resolved after making an informal complaint, you can make a formal complaint.
The formal complaint process is started when you, your guardian or family, completes a Grievance Form. After this form is processed, it is then investigated in accordance with our formal grievance procedure. 
You will not be denied services or supports for making a complaint or grievance!

21. We will look into any reported issues or concerns you have with your services or supports and attempt to resolve them quickly.
You have the right to offer complaints to the agency

22. You have the right to not be abused or neglected.
Abuse & Neglect
You have the right to not be abused or neglected.
“Abuse” can be someone hurting you (either your body or your feelings, like someone calling you bad names).
“Neglect” is not getting the things/attention you need to be healthy and safe.
If you feel you have been abused, tell the staff or someone else in charge. They will let the right people know. Your staff are required to report any abuse or neglect they see or that people report to them.
We do not tolerate abuse or neglect and will make sure the issue is investigated and resolved as quickly as possible.

23. We will try to help resolve any concerns you have, but if you feel like your rights are not being respected or you wish to report abuse or neglect you can call:
Department of Mental Health Office of Consumer Safety toll free at
a-5p Monday-Friday Or
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services toll free
at hr
Missouri Protection & Advocacy (for advocacy & legal services) toll free at or MO Relay (TDD) call
You can call anonymously (which means you do not have to tell them who you are).

24. Information about you will be kept private
You have the right to have information about you kept private

25. Your Rights Under HIPAA
Some of your rights are….
You can:
see a copy of your records
ask for changes to your information
ask with whom we have shared your information
talk to us at your home or in the office
have full copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices
make a complaint if you think any of your rights have not been met
Your rights under HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)
You can – see a copy of your records, ask for changes to your information, ask who we have given your information to, talk to us at your home or in the office, have a full copy of your Notice of Privacy Practices, make a complaint if you think any of your rights haven’t been met

26. Your Personal Information
Community Opportunities can give information about you without your permission for your treatment, payments of services or healthcare operations. So, we may share information with doctors, emergency staff, insurance companies or other agencies to make sure you have the care you need.
Your Personal Information. Community Opportunities can give information about you to doctors, emergency staff, insurance companies or other agencies to make sure you have the care you need without asking you if it’s okay.

27. Community Resources We have many resources available to you.
You can request a list from
your program director.
If you need help with something that is not on the list, please let us know.

28. Do you have any questions?